From wood carving for beginners to pond dipping and nighttime nature walks, explore the wide variety of events taking place at WWT sites throughout the year
Home to a fascinating array of wildlife, including birds of prey, wading birds, dragonflies, frogs, newts and much more – a visit to one of WWT's nature reserves is a great day out whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned wildlife expert.
Throughout the year, there’s a wide selection of engaging events to inspire your next wildlife adventure and learn all about Britain’s diverse wetlands. There’s plenty for families to do, too, with fun indoor and outdoor educational activities for children of all ages.
What’s more, as a Boundless member you can get unlimited access to all nine WWT centres across the UK – and you can bring a friend and up to six children completely free of charge. Find out more about Boundless membership and access to the WWT.
Here's what's coming up at each centre:
WWT Arundel, West Sussex
Photo: Sam Walker, WWT
Spanning 26 hectares, WWT Arundel is part of the spectacular River Arun floodplain and is surrounded by ancient woodland. The site features ponds, lakes and reed beds, and is fed by springs from the nearby Chalky Downs. Visitors can view wildlife from seven hides, and level access is provided to all areas of the site. With two play areas and picnic sites, it’s an ideal place for families of all ages to visit.
Bat Walk & Glow Worm Hunt
Discover the evening activities of bats by taking part in a guided walk around WWT Arundel's wetlands with reserve warden Suzi Lanaway. Watch for pipistrelles emerging at dusk, and track up to five species with bat detectors to learn their different calls. The walk ends with a delightful glow worm hunt.
Tickets must be bought online for this workshop.
Begin Wood Carving
Learn the basics of wood carving in this relaxed introductory workshop for beginners. Ideal for those who enjoy crafting with natural materials, it'll enable you to create your very own wooden model of a bird to take home and display. Tools, paint, protective gear, a roughed-out wooden block and expert instruction from experienced wood carvers are all provided. This workshop is for adults only.
Begin Wood Carving workshops run throughout the year, and the charge also includes centre admission.
Bentley Wildlife Wood Carver Display
Marvel at the intricate handmade wildlife models carved by Bentley Wildlife wood carvers at WWT Arundel. Many of the pieces of work are for sale, with 10% of sales donated to the wetland centre.
You can drop in to the Bentley Wildlife Wood Carver Display while you’re visiting Arundel.
See what’s coming up at WWT Arundel for the full list of events throughout the year.
WWT Caerlaverock, Dumfries and Galloway
Photo: Sam Stafford, WWT
Discover saltmarshes, ponds and grassland over 587 hectares at WWT Caerlaverock. Using a network of seasonal nature trails, wildlife enthusiasts can use hides and observation towers to spot birds such as osprey, tree sparrow and marsh harrier.Moth Morning
Discover the moths that call WWT Caerlaverock home, and learn about the centre's conservation efforts. Taking place outside, the event is free to join in, with no booking required.
Nighttime Nature Walk
Enjoy an atmospheric evening by joining a Nighttime Nature Walk. Stroll through the reserve at dusk with a warden to try and spot night creatures such as bats, owls, badgers and more. It's an exciting opportunity to learn more about British wildlife and the importance of wetland habitats.
Taking place in August, the charge for the Nighttime Nature Walk includes a hot drink. All booking information can be found on the WWT Caerlaverock website.
Nature Writing for Wellbeing Workshop
Connect with nature and improve your writing skills in this relaxed workshop. As part of the workshop, you'll take a walk around the reserve, stopping regularly to take notes of the flora and fauna you see to help you produce an imaginative piece of nature writing. There’s a charge for this workshop – full booking details can be found on the event website.
Visit the WWT Caerlaverock website for the full list of events that are taking place throughout the year.
WWT Castle Espie, County Down
Photo: Ben Cherry, WWT
Situated on the spectacular shores of Strangford Lough, WWT Castle Espie is home to Northern Ireland’s largest collection of native and exotic birds, ducks and geese in the World Wetland Aviary. Explore nature trails through the wetland and woodland, stopping at bird hides and viewing points to spot seasonal wildlife.Acoustic Afternoons
One for music lovers: sit back and relax to the sound of live acoustic music from local musicians. Acoustic Afternoons sessions are the perfect soundtrack to a lazy Sunday at Castle Espie.
No booking required.
WWT Castle Espie has a varied calendar of events to enjoy throughout the year.
WWT Llanelli events, Carmarthenshire
Photo: Sam Stafford, WWT
Explore 450 acres of lakes, reed beds, woodlands, pools and lagoons at WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre. Enjoy breathtaking views across the saltmarsh to Penclawdd on the Gower Peninsula. The wetland is home to an incredible variety of Welsh wildlife and rare bird species, including vibrant Caribbean flamingos!
Canoe Safari
Take to the water for a closer look at the wetlands, and paddle your way around Llanelli’s beautiful waterway in a canoe, spotting wildlife as you go. If you’re lucky, you might see dragonflies, kingfishers and even a water vole.
Canoes are available for hire during the summer months. Visit WWT Llanelli’s event page for more information.
Walk with a Warden
Another fantastic opportunity to get some expert insight into the species found at WWT sites, this Walk with a Warden event will take place at WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre on several dates throughout the year. From starling murmurations to feeding plovers, this expert-led excursion is sure to provide some sights to remember.
These are included with admission and there’s no need to book ahead – just check the start times beforehand.
Pond Dipping
Discover the hidden world of pond wildlife by dipping beneath the surface to collect and look at aquatic invertebrates, insects and other small creatures, before carefully returning them to their watery home. Guided by the friendly WWT team at specially designated dipping ponds, this is a fun family activity suitable for all ages.
Drop-in sessions are included with admission, and there’s no need to book ahead. See the event page for more information.
From autumn wildlife walks to festive nature crafts, see what’s coming up at WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre throughout the year.
WWT London Wetland Centre events
Photo: Sam Walker, WWT
Connect with nature in the city at WWT London Wetland Centre – a 44-hectare wetland habitat of ponds, reed beds, open water, grazing marsh and a flooded meadow. It's home to a wide variety of visiting British wildlife – spot wild birds, bats, dragonflies and butterfly species in the summer months. Situated in Barnes in South West London, the site is easily accessible by public transport – see Transport for London to plan your journey.
Photography in Nature
With around 180 wild birds visiting WWT London Wetland Centre annually, it is the ideal location for capturing the perfect wildlife shot. This upcoming photography workshop will show you how to capture wildlife in fast motion and hone your photography skills. Led by a professional photographer, you’ll explore the site and learn how to take striking photographs of birds in flight.
There’s a charge for the workshop, and booking is essential. Visit the event page to see more photography workshops taking place later in the year.
Boundless members with an interest in photography can join the Boundless Photography Group. Taking place mainly on Facebook, it sees members sharing skills, technical knowledge and, best of all, some fantastic photography.
Fridays Froglets
Play in nature, make crafts and learn new songs around the campfire at these forest-school-inspired Friday Froglets sessions with your children in September.
There’s a small charge for these sessions, on top of admission.
Stained Glass Workshop
Find inspiration in nature and learn the art of stained glass making at this beginner-level workshop. Suitable for adults only, this workshop comes with an admission cost. See the stained glass event page for more information and to book your place.
Browse the WWT London Wetland Centre events page to find more workshops, talks and guided walks.
WWT Martin Mere, Lancashire
Photo: Sam Stafford, WWT
Combine wilderness with family fun at WWT Martin Mere – this huge nature reserve is home to over 2,000 different species from around the world, including flamingoes, inca terns, common cranes, kingfishers and water voles. Situated near Ormskirk in Lancashire, the site has a large adventure playground and offers family-friendly activities such as pond dipping, wild walks and canoe safaris throughout the year.
Art Workshops
Running until November, these artist-led workshops teach the best techniques for capturing the wildlife seen at Martin Mere, covering compositions, contrasts, shades and more. Working with pastels and watercolours, the workshops are suitable for all abilities. See the workshop event page for more information, including charges, and to book.
Dawn Flights
One for early risers – watch as thousands of pink-footed geese make their annual migration from Iceland to return to roost at Martin Mere in the winter. This dawn flight will allow spectators the opportunity to witness a spectacular early-morning wildlife event. There’s a fee for these events – and be sure to book well in advance if you can.
Goose Spectacular
An evening wildlife spectacle not to be missed – watch as thousands of pink-footed geese fly in to roost at Martin Mere at sunset. The event takes place every Wednesday and Saturday in October, with the Discovery Hide and nature trail staying open until 7pm for visitors to see the geese fly over the mere.
North West Bird Watching Festival 2024
Head to Martin Mere on 19 and 20 October from 8am until dusk to watch in wonder as thousands of geese leave the roost. Part of the North West Bird Watching Festival, the event will also see guest speakers, photography workshops and guided walks around the reserve. Browse the full list of events at WWT Martin Mere.
WWT Slimbridge events, Gloucestershire
Photo: Clem Steven, WWT
Discover rare birds from all over the world at WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire. A Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI), the 325-hectare site is home to flocks of geese, ducks and swans in the winter months, and a breeding ground for waders in the summer. You might also spot brown hares, wild otters and even grass snakes.
Birding for Beginners
Learn how to identify wild birds under the guidance of an experienced reserve warden. You’ll join them on a morning visit to the bird hides, and get the chance to spot a variety of species, such as waders, ducks and passerines. The workshop ends with a breakfast roll in the Kingfisher Kitchen. You’ll need to buy a ticket for the session; see the event page for more information and to book.
Wildlife Photography
Snap the perfect wildlife photo and learn the basics of photography composition and shooting techniques at this introductory workshop. Led by a professional wildlife photographer, you'll head out onto the reserve to put your skills to the test. The charge for the workshop includes admission to the site; see the event page to book.
Wild History Walks
Marvel at the reserve’s seasonal wildlife, and discover the history of Slimbridge reserve, chosen by Sir Peter Scott as the birthplace of modern conservation. You’ll learn more about the wetlands on this two-hour walk, before enjoying a scrumptious cream tea. Tickets cost £12 per person and can be booked via the event website.
See WWT Slimbridge's full event listings for more seasonal events.
WWT Steart Marshes, Somerset
Photo: Harley Todd, WWT
The first of WWT’s working wetlands, Steart Marshes is a unique landscape that provides natural flood defence for local homes and buildings, and carbon capture through coastal realignment. Explore salt marshes, mudflats and freshwater wetlands at its extensive site that showcases how nature can be used to fight climate change.
Words for Wetlands
Find inspiration in nature and write a postcard as part of Words for Wetlands, posting in the Mendip Hide. Each day, the team at Steart Marshes choose their favourite message to post on social media. Search for @wwtsteart on X, and @wwtsteartmarshes on Facebook.
Guided Walks
Take a walk on the wild side on a guided walk around the nature reserve. Walks vary depending on the season, with birdwatching, species identification, night walks and more taking place throughout the year. Booking is essential, and there’s a suggested donation of £20 – see the event page for full details.
Explore WWT Steart Marshes' annual programme of events.
WWT Washington events, Tyne and Wear
Photo: Ben Cherry
Enjoy panoramic views across WWT Washington’s large saline lagoon, and explore lakes, reed beds, marshes and ponds. Throughout the year, the wetlands are teeming with wildlife, such as wild otter, roe deer and curlew, so don’t forget to pack your binoculars next time you visit to see what you can spot from one of the four hides.
Flamingo Talks
To see something a little more exotic, why not pay a visit to WWT Washington and enjoy the brilliant plumage of the resident Chilean flamingos. During one of the daily talks, included in your admission, you’ll get to learn interesting facts about the birds and the innovative solar-powered house where they spend the winter.
Meet the Otters
Another interesting animal colony worth getting to know at Washington is the cheeky family of resident otters. Each day, expert volunteers will deliver a fascinating talk about these furry creatures as they forage, feed and swim around their enclosure.
From den building to art workshops, there’s a wide range of events to enjoy at WWT Washington. See the full schedule on the website.
WWT Welney Events, Norfolk
Photo: Stephanie Foote, WWT
Found in the northernmost corner of the Ouse Washes, a large area of land that floods seasonally, WWT Welney is a spectacular nature reserve to visit throughout the year. From mass winter gatherings of wild birds to carpets of wildflowers in the summer, the site hosts a calendar of interesting nature events.
Bat & Barn Owl Evening
Explore the nature reserve at dusk for the chance to see bats and owls up close. Watch as barn owls come out to hunt over the wetlands at sunset, and learn more about the eight species of bats that hunt around the site with one of the team’s resident bat experts. You'll even get the chance to hear them ‘chattering’ using electronic bat detectors. Tickets must be bought in advance; visit the event page for full booking details.
Optics Demo Days
After the perfect pair of binoculars or a telescope? Running for the rest of the year, Optics Demo Days offers the ideal opportunity to try out a range of binoculars and telescopes, with the reserve’s experienced team on hand to guide you on how to use them for wildlife-watching and offer advice on upgrading your optics.
Head to the WWT Welney website to see the full schedule of events throughout the year.
Do more with Boundless
If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus.
With Boundless, you get unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions, including Kew Gardens and Wakehurst and WWT centres across the UK, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more. With Boundless Plus, you can enjoy additional benefits, including unlimited access to Historic Royal Palaces sites, National Trust for Scotland places, access to the Ramblers' extensive group walks and routes, and peace of mind with roadside assistance and local recovery by LV= Britannia Rescue.
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